The Utah National Guard Color Guard conducts a flag ceremony as the State Legislature begins its session Monday in Salt Lake City.

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Utah's lawmakers ushered in their 2013 general session Monday in Salt Lake City with songs, prayer and some choice words for their counterparts in Congress.

"After years of meddling with the economy and amassing trillions in debt, their actions are having a direct and immediate threat on Utah," House Speaker Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, said in her opening speech, echoing similar sentiments shared by lawmakers frustrated with the difficulties that this year's Legislature could face as it tries to budget the $13 billion or so available for the 2013-14 fiscal year.